Apart from browsing through the latest styles, I also check on Zappos.com‘s inventory of sale items, particularly designer shoes with huge mark downs.

While doing so today, I came across this pair of sandals from Marc Jacobs. It originally retailed for a heavy US$899, but is now at a discounted US$425.

Marc Jacobs MJ14161, now at US$425 (was US$899)

Now I have two questions for you. Would you wear these Marc Jacobs sandals?  And would you buy them at US$425?

Because if you ask me, I am totally not digging this pair. I’m sorry to say it but it looks kind of ugly.

I can’t really pinpoint the exact cause of my dislike, but it is a sum of a lot of things – from the color combination, to the old fashioned silhouette, to the presence of a heel, and to the odd combination of  black patent leather and purple tube straps.

So, again, would you wear these Marc Jacobs sandals?

If you think you can rock the pair, simply visit Zappos and make your purchase.

The earliest memory I have of Amy Smart was when she appeared in Felicity; you know, the teen drama show with Keri Russel as the main character (come to think of it, that’s where I first saw Jennifer Garner too). Ok, I think I just gave away my age here, because that show happened a long time ago.

Now back to Amy. The blond cutie was spotted with Chris Evans the other week; the two went to Cirque club in London and I just couldn’t help but notice how Amy was dressed that night.

Amy Smart leaving Cirque Club in London with Chris Evans, August 21

Tell me, what do you think of her look? OR more precisely, do you think she chose the right pair of shoes to go with the outfit?

Actually if you ask me, part of me thinks she looks kind of cool with it, but another part of me also thinks a different pair would have looked better.

If you think she looks hot the way she is and you think the booties are perfect, then you will probably love these:

Top: Via Spiga Liberty, on sale for US$99; Steven Maiya, US$190

Bottom: Michael Kors MK13031, on sale for US$447; L.A.M.B. Quintessa, on sale for US$224

You can shop for these sandal booties at Zappos.

Have you ever seen Reese Witherspoon in a fedora hat? Ever wonder how she would look in one? Well, here’s how:

Reese Witherspoon, August 20

What do you think? Definitely not bad, right? But we all know her fedora is not why I’m writing this article. It’s those sandals. It isn’t that extra-ordinary looking from afar, but it does look interesting up close:

Reese’s sandals

See the crisscross straps? That’s what makes it interesting to me. I don’t know who made it, but if you like it, you can try this pair from DV by Dolce Vita. It comes with lace-ups and strapped buckles on it:

DV by Dolce Vita Avila, on sale for US$79 at Zappos

Now if you think Reese should have worn some other pair of sandals, what would it be? Or which of these would it be?

Juicy Couture Morgen, on sale for US$172 at Zappos

Christin Michaels Bolex, US$189

Rihanna stayed true to her rock chic style when she was spotted exiting Da Silvano restaurant last August 9.

Her dinner date outfit consisted of an acid green printed dress from Proenza Schouler which she belted on the waist and finished off with a pair of criss cross gladiator sandals. The whole look was casual cool at its finest.

Rihanna, August 9

Now let’s zoom in on the sandals:

It’s definitely very interesting. It looks like lace-ups from afar but up close really aren’t. There is no information on it online but if you really like it, I think these close substitutes will do:

MICHAEL Michael Kors Gwen Bootie, US$140

Cole Haan Air Vernonia, US$125

You can also get Rihanna’s look by completing it with the following essentials:

Grab the Allen Allen Tie Dye Babydoll Tunic (US$48) and put it over a tulle layered skirt such as the Gabriella Rocha Pleaz (US$39). Belt it on the waist using the Nike Skinny Glove Belt (US$35) and finish off the look with the Midnight Swag Stone Pyramid Cuff from Juicy Couture (US$98), some Lucky Brand Bohemia Open Cage Hoop Earrings (US$32), and sunglasses from Jessica Simpson (US$56)

(all from Zappos)

Kim Kardashian is not the only hot celebrity who looks lovely in lace-up sandals, Gossip Girl Leighton Meester does too.

Unlike Kim’s neutral colored Louboutins, Leighton’s pair is in a wonderfully rich wine color from Derek Lam. She was spotted wearing it on her way to the Gossip Girl set last month (July 26)

Leighton Meester in her Derek Lam Double Platform Lace Up Sandals, July 26

The sandals are actually on sale at Saks for US$316, that’s more than 50% off its original retail of US$790. The wine color is already out though, so you will only have the Black and Grey colors to choose from (visit SaksFifthAvenue.com).

Derek Lam Double Platform Lace Up Sandals

You can also try these lace-ups from L.A.M.B. and Loeffler Randall:

L.A.M.B. Jaco Sandal, US$290 (Heels.com); Loeffler Randall Zola-D Zig-Zag Platform Dino, US$479 (Zappos.com)

Or this very affordable pair from CARLOS by Carlos Santana:

Carlos by Carlos Santana Tamingo Sandals, US$99 (Zappos.com)